Irish Run race recap

Happy Thursday!

 

How's every one's week going? Mines going dandy over here, and I'm back with my race recap and thoughts from the 8k last Sunday.

 



Jake and I got to the race with plenty of time to spare.  My biggest concern was having time to go to the bathroom so I didn't have a repeat of last year (SPOILER ALERT - I managed to NOT pee my pants this time, not sure if that's a "win" or not....).  We got to the school, got our bibs and headed out for our warm up, 2 miles.  It was really nice because everyone was out doing their respective warm ups too, so it was nice to be around everyone while they were still nice, and not in competition-mode.  I actually felt pretty decent during the warm up, my legs felt ok, and my right ankle (which I've been having issued with) felt really good.  We milled around a little bit then it was time to line up. 

My pacing plan was to go out with the first mile at about 6:45 (the first mile is downhill), and then settle into a 7 min/just above pace for the rest of the race.  Jake was nice enough to pace me so I just told myself to stick with him the best I could.  In my head, these paces didn't seem too bad, but then again, I'm always so clueless for the first race of the season.  We started out, and I had Jake tell me my mile splits each time.  First mile was 7:01.  Not what I was expecting, and I was just hoping to hold on. 

The course for this race is kind of tough, and there was quite a bit of headwind in some parts.  The reason the course is tough is because from about mile 2-3 and about 3-4 there is a slow, gradual incline.  The kind you cant really see when looking at it, but can definitely feel when your running up them.  Jake kept calling them "false" hills.....they were very real my friends.

I started to feel myself slipping going up that first incline, but still felt good enough to hold the pace.  Once we got to the top I tried my best to relax and stay loose.  We got to mile 3 and I asked Jake the total time, which was about a 21:3X.  I wanted to try and come close to or beat my 5k time from last year (which was a 21:35), so I felt pretty good about this.  I was really starting to fade at about mile 3.5.  my legs just HURT.  We started the last incline and it was right into the wind.  I tried to go behind Jake but that made me fall further behind.  I tried to just do my best and stick with it. 

The one good thing about the course is that the finish is downhill, and once I got to the top, to start going down, I just did whatever I could to push myself in.  There was a woman ahead of me that I really wanted to beat, and I dug in and made it around her.  I go to that finish line and about died!  I really feel like I used up whatever I had left at the finish, which is a win in my book.  Jake told me he's never seen me take off like that at the end.

 

 

 

left: after the race, top right: just about mile 2, bottom right: coming to the finish

 

 



I do have to say that even though my legs were hurting and I probably could have relaxed a little more, this race went so much better than last year mentally.  I don't think I was super positive during the race, but I also didn't let it get to me.  I pushed myself when I could and accepted that it was hard.  I still have some work to do, and speed-wise I have A LOT of work to do, but I was proud of myself for just staying in each mile and not thinking about how far I have left.  I didn't let the people who passed me get me upset and focused on my race.  Also, like I said, I didn't pee my pants, so a success!

Saw Rael on my cool down!  Another TNC athlete!

 

 

After the race we chatted with my mom and Paul for a bit (they came up to cheer, which was awesome!), then we did our cool down, another 2 miles - total of 9 for the day.  The we went out in search of food, we were starving and we ended up at Panera Bread. 

 

 

Thai chicken salad and black bean soup, yum!

All in all, this was a good race to start the season, but I'm really excited for my next one to see where my 5k time is at.  I am really hoping I can start out with a sub-21, that would put me ahead of where I was last year and would be a major confidence booster.  I'm hoping the 8k shook out some race nerves and I'll be a little more relaxed for the next.  Sometimes it just takes that first race to get rid of the 'cobwebs" :).

 

Alright, that's all for me folks, have a great rest of your day!

 

 

not this year my friends, not this year

calling all runners!!

Hey!  So I know I said I would be back with a race recap, and I will, but I wanted to share some fun info first!

 

In May my coach is hosting a training camp through her running team, TNC Endurance.  I will be going for sure, and I wanted to post up the info here in case any of you are interested in coming.  It will be an awesome weekend full of running (duh), good food, new friends, and lots of laughs and stories I'm sure.  Check out the info poster below...

 

 

 

 

I'm super pumped for this, and I know it will be such a great learning experience.  So if you are currently a runner, training for a race, looking for a potential coach/race team, or just love running and think this sounds like a good fit, then get in contact with Nichole.  She's one of the nicest people I know and is an amazing coach and runner.

 

Run happy friends!

 



Irish Run results and race review

Good morning and happy Monday!!

Ok, wanted to post up my results from the race yesterday and give a quick review of the event. I'll do another post with pictures and my race recap/thoughts....I've got plenty!

Alright, results......

I'm saving my thoughs on this for the next post :)

Race reciew:

This was my second year doing this race, and my first time racing the 8k.  This race is, for a lot of MN runners, the kick off to racing season.  There are always a lot of really good, fast runners that do the 8k, so its pretty competative, but it's also a race for you to gauge where you are at at the end of winter running.  There are also a lot of running teams at this race as well. Run N Fun, Mill City Running, Twin Cities Track Club, and probably a couple others that I'm forgetting.  This is also one of the races in the team circuts so a lot of people run it for that reason too.

Even though this race has been around for a LONG time, it's still very low key and casual.  Nothing super facny, but it's a very well-run race.  The race started and finished from Ramsey Middle School, so they opened the gym to hang out in before and after the race.  Since the weather was cold, this was a nice option. 

The start/finish were just outside the school so it literally took 5 seconds to line up.  For the most part there was plenty of room, but at the start it did get a little crowded, nothing bad, and it opened up right away.  The race couse was well marked, and there were plenty of police officers blocking roads so it felt really secure.  They did a good job of marking corners that were icy as well, which I appreciated.

Crowd support was pretty good, lots of people cheering at the end, and quite a few out on the course.  The course is really spectator-friendly with lots of places to watch.

The only gripe I have (and its not even a "gripe) but since the location is near a busy neighborhood, there arent a lot of options for parking, especially if you are running the 8k, since that is the last race, most of the closer spots are taken.  Jake and I parked about 3 blocks away from the school, which isn't bad, just something to note if you decide to run, you'll want to leave some time for finding a parking spot and walking a little bit.  Also, in the finishers chute, they were giving away bottles of Propel.  I hate this stuff.  I think its super syrupy and not something I want to drink right after a race.  I think it would have been better to give normal water at the finish, and have the Propel/sports drink inside with the rest of the post-race food.  Plus it was frozen.  It was already 20 degrees out, the last thing I wanted was a frozen bottle of water.  But really, if those are the two main issues, I would say this race is pretty well run.

Another thing I appreciated about this race was that they collected any worn (but not worn out) shoes to be donated.  I rounded up three pairs of old shoes to donate.  Cleared room in my closet and went to people in need - win win.

All in all, I think this is a just a good old fashioned fun race to kick off the season.  They have a 5k, kids races, and the 8k, so there really is something for everyone. 

Ok, enough from me.  I'll be back with pictures and my recap later :)

Racing season has begun and some FUN news!

Hiya buddies!  Happy Thursday!  This week seems to be flying by and can't beleive it's almost the weekend - I'm not complianing though :)

 

 

Ok, let's get down to business.  Racing season has officially started (for me), and I have my first race this Sunday - yikes!  Jake and I will be making our way back to St Paul to run the St Paul Irish Race.  Jake and I ran this last year, he ran the 8k and I did the 5k, and if you can remember, it didn't go so hot for me.  I'm hoping to redeem myself this year, and I'll also make sure to go to the bathroom before I start.

 

However, I'm doing things a little differently this year and won't be running the 5k, and will instead race the 8k.  This is kind of an odd distance, and had never heard of it in a race until the Irish Run, so I'm a little nervous.  I've talked over some pacing strategies with my coach, so that makes me feel a little better.  I'm trying not to overthink things, and in Nichole's words "I'M NOT ALLOWED TO FREAK OUT!".  So that might be my mantra, dont freak out, dont freak out...

 

 

Normally, I probably would race the 5k, but the real reason I'm racing the 8k is because....drumroll......I'm on the Run N Fun race team!!  This race is part of the team circut, and being on the team you have to do at least 2 circut races during the year (you can obviously do more, but its required to race two). 

 

I cannot tell you how blown away I was when I found out I was on the team.  Let me tell you, this team is FAST, and the open Women's division consistantly run sub 17, 18, 19 5k times, so the fact that they let a slow poke like me on the team is amazing, and I'm super grateful.  I know I have the potential to get my times down, and am glad they believe in me too.  This just gives me an extra incentive to work my BUTT off in training and hopefully have it show in my races. 

I have my first team meeting with the group sometime in April, so will share more info with you then.  But this is a very exciting way to start my 2014 season.  How luck am I to be a part of not one, but TWO awesome running teams?!

So that's my exciting (to me) news!  I'm excited to meet some of my teammates this weekend at the race, and hopefully I'll get some tips on how to be fast :)

So Sunday will kick off a few good months of races, here's what I've got on tap:

3/23 St. Paul Irish Run 8k
4/16 MPLS Hot Chocolate 5k
5/3 Nick Clare Memorial 5k
5/9 Fargo Half Marathon (running this just for fun with a friend - Hi Emily!!)
6/1 MPLS Half Marathon (goal race!!)

So if you are thinking about doing any races this spring, check these out, and let me know if you'll be there!  Have a great rest of your day peeps!







Clean Gut update and after thoughts

Happy Tuesday all!

 

 

I just wanted to pop back in and chat about my Clean Gut  experience one last time.  You can read more about the reason I started this program here and a previous update here.  I officially "ended" the program a couple weeks ago, but in all honesty, I've kind of just keep going as I was.  I'm a bit more lenient on the weekends in what I will eat, but the only difference is that now, I'm make a conscious decision on what I will/wont eat. Whereas before, I would just eat things because I wanted to, if I was bored, or because I felt like I could - "oh I ran 10 miles, sure I'll eat that pan of brownies" or "sure I'll have bread and pasta and crackers because - carb loading!!".  I now make a conscious decision if I'm going to have gluten, dairy, sugar because I know how it effects me and makes me feel.  If I decide I'm fine with feeling a little crummy for the sake of hanging out with friends or some delicious pizza, then don't get in my way cause I'll demolish it

exhibit A from the weekend - Jake and I split a large pizza...I ate half of it...don't judge :)

But the biggest difference in this, is the fact that I feel so much less "guilty".  Before if I would have eaten that much pizza, even though yes I did run a lot that day, I would still feel bad about it.  But now, I eat it, enjoy it, and move on.  My mindset in regards to food has changed quite a bit, and knowing exactly how I feel when I eat certain things is enough now to keep me from them...most of the time :)

I still avoid dairy, gluten, and sugar during the week, and have kind of fallen into a pattern of allowing myself these things on the weekends if I choose.  Most of the time I still eat clean, because it makes me feel good, not because I feel like I have to.  I no longer feel the need to eat clean to "make up" for a weekend of junk, it's just become normal to me.

Don't get me wrong, it was tough at first, and I had my days where all I wanted was a bag of tortilla chips and queso for dinner and wash it down with a bag of Oreos, but I knew better, and knowing better got me to the point I'm at now.

There are so many things that have changed for me since I started this new way of eating, but the biggest one I've noticed is in my energy levels.  I used to always be tired/sluggish in the mornings, and again in the afternoons - which contributed largely to my lack of motivation which resulted in skipped workouts.  After changing things up, there are no more peaks and valleys in my energy.  It's at a constant all day.  I never feel that spike and crash like I did before.  It's like my body has just evened itself out, which feels great.  I never knew what it would feel like to be on an even level all day, and I honestly didn't notice it changed until I sat and thought about it.  The other big thing for me was that my skin has cleared up.  I used to break out every other week or so, and in these past 5 weeks I have noticed my skin is clearer and brighter.  Not great, but I don't stress out about breakouts anymore, and that makes me happy :)

Ok, before this gets any longer than it has to, I'll wrap it up.  If you have any interest in the Clean Gut book or program, feel free to comment or email me with questions.  I have so much more I could talk about but for the sake of keeping things short, I'll stop here.  This program has completely changed the way I look and think about food (In a good way!), and has made me feel so much better that I don't think I could go back to the way I was eating before, to much good has come of this to do that.

aaaaand with that I'm done rambling!  Have a great rest of the day friendlies!





I'm officially "that person" at the gym...

Hey guys! Happy Saturday!

 I know it's been awhile since I've checked in.  This week has been really busy.  I started a new job at the company I work for so it's been a little hectic trying to adjust.  It's exciting though. So I just haven't had a ton of extra time to blog or reply to emails and stuff - hopefully going to clean that up over the weekend.

I wanted to do a quick training recap for this week because... I'm at my first 50+ mile week of this training cycle!! I don't know why that "50" is such an important number to me, but it makes me feel pretty bad ass;). So here's what's been going down this week.

Monday - 2m WU&CD, 5x1mi. tempo (2min recovery), 4x200m cut downs. 10.5 miles total.

 *Tempos are still by HR but my legs just weren't wanting to go very fast today, so they weren't my best times, and the four 200's at the end were the real kicker, I was toast!

 Tuesday - REST thank god

 Wednesday - 4.5 easy

 Thursday - 2m. WU&CD, 4x200m (equal recovery), 3x1k (90% recovery), 2x400m (equal recovery). 10 miles total.

*This kicked my butt, 'nuff said!

 Friday - 6 easy

 Saturday - 15 long run

 Sunday - 4 easy

Today's long run was great, what wasn't great was the temp outside.  I swear this is the coldest winter ever! So when my alarm went off and I saw it was only 1 degree, I said screw that and took my run to the treadmill. I told myself to break it up into 3x5 miles just to makes it easier in my brain - sometimes you gotta play tricks like that. Because I was inside I was totally that weirdo at the gym running for a million years, sweating buckets (my tank was a completely different color by the end - no longer light blue), wearing compression socks and eating GU.  Yep I got some strange looks and yep I had about 5 people ask how far I was going but I like to think I'm working on my mental strength - cause lord knows I'll need it come June when I'm pushing myself for my goal race.

I came home, mixed up some tasty hot apple cinnamon Skratch ( seriously AWESOME stuff - try it, now), and took a lovely ice/snow bath.  This is how to have fun on a Saturday morning, trust me ;)

Oh! I also have some pretty exciting news on the running front, but need to wait a bit to fill you in.  I'll just keep you all in suspense.

OK, that's all for me, hope you all have a great rest of the weekend.  As for me, I'll be stuffing my face with pizza tonight.....hey, I ran 15 miles, I deserve it right?!

Pizza party!